The United Kingdom is the spiritual home of Rock Snobbery, having given us Mojo magazine, the Incredible String Band, Nick Kent [see p. 55 of the book], Nik Cohn [see p. 21], John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, and what have you. So it’s only fitting that we launch a U.K. edition, which our British publisher, Sanctuary, has outfitted with a soothing, pale-blue cover that resembles that of a 1970s sexual education manual.

British readers, look for it on July 4th. And all you American Snobs, we’re taking it on faith that you know that in Britain, a guitar pick is known as a “plectrum.”

Film Snobbery

Food Snobbery

Wine Snobbery

Berkshire pork. Upmarket pork from purebred swine of British pedigree, redder in flesh, more marbled in texture, and richer in flavor than standard, bland American pork (which is justly described as “the other white meat”). In the nineteenth century, some Berkshire pigs were exported to Japan as a diplomatic gift from the Brits, resulting in the pork’s popularity there under the name Kurobuta (“black pig”), a term unnecessarily bandied about by American butchers and restaurateurs looking for a WAGYU-like profit margin. Everything on the menu tonight is outstanding, but I’d especially recommend the loin of Berkshire pork with chestnuts and apple-Calvados chutney.